Never Whistle at Night anthology: David’s short story, “Sundays,” is published in Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology (Penguin Random House).
Best American Mystery and Suspense 2023: David’s short story “Colfax and Havana,” published in Denver Noir, was noted as one of the Distinguished stories of the year in the 2023 Best American Mystery and Suspense anthology.
Magazines: David is interviewed in Westword magazine about the books he recommends this fall. David also contributed an essay in Poets & Writers magazine about MFA programs. He’s also mentioned in the article “Native American Literature: Tribes and Tribulations” as one of the foremost Indigenous writers currently working in the field. David’s speech at the Colorado Gold conference is noted in the Denver Gazette.
Western States Arts Federation: David was chosen as one of the winners of the BIPOC Artist Fund, sponsored by the Western States Arts Federation.
Associated Press interview: David was interviewed by the Associated Press about the influence of Cormac McCarthy.
Colorado Book Award: DENVER NOIR won the Colorado Book Award for Best Anthology. David’s story “Colfax and Havana” appears in the volume.
Scholarly article on WINTER COUNTS: Clues, the oldest US scholarly journal on mystery and crime fiction, featured David on the front cover of Issue 41:1. The journal published this article by Dr. Nicole Kenley, “’So long as [the crime] took place on Indian land’: Borders, Colonialism, and Indigeneity in Winter Counts.”
LA Times, Murder & Mayhem: WINTER COUNTS is listed in the LA Times article, “A Map of 1,001 Novels to Show Us Where to Find the Real America.” The novel is also listed in the Murder & Mayhem blog, “8 Searingly Satisfying Books About Revenge.”
Polish review: The Polish magazine Political Criticism reviewed WINTER CHRONICLES, the Polish version of WINTER COUNTS. “An enlightening read for those who want to know about the modern lives of the descendants of the warrior Sioux, and how they view themselves today.”
Colorado Book Award: DENVER NOIR has been nominated for the Colorado Book Award for Best Anthology. The collection includes David’s short story “Colfax and Havana.”
New essay: David contributed a new essay, “Keeping Faith on the Reservation,” for the book Indian Land, a collection of photographs of Indigenous citizens by Zen Lefort.
WISDOM CORNER news: Library Journal notes in their article, What to Read in 2023: “Following his smash-hit debut thriller, Winter Counts, David Heska Wanbli Weiden revisits the Rosebud Indian Reservation with Wisdom Corner (Ecco, Nov.)”
Podcasts: David speaks to Radio Gresivaudan (podcast in French and English). In the U.S., David appears on Carter Wilson’s Making it Up podcast.
Paperback edition of THE PERFECT CRIME: HarperCollins has released the UK paperback edition of the anthology THE PERFECT CRIME, which includes David’s story “Hooch.” The US paperback edition will be released in May, 2023.
MWA Board: David was elected to the national Board of the Mystery Writers of America by the organization’s membership.
Lists: The Daily Telegraph (Australia) listed WINTER COUNTS as one of the “Top 30 Summer Reads” in their year-end review. The Mary Sue includes the novel as one of “The Best Modern Murder Mystery Books.” CrimeReads includes WINTER COUNTS as one of “10 Crime Books by Writers of Color that Should Not be Missed.”
Electric Literature and Fodor’s articles: Erin E. Adams discusses WINTER COUNTS in “7 Novels that Use Mystery to Examine Race” in Electric Literature. Fodor’s notes the novel in “The 10 Winter Books that are Perfect Fireplace Reads.”
Roundtable and blog: David takes part in “A Roundtable Discussion on Growing Diversity in Crime Writing,” published in CrimeReads, and is interviewed in Dru’s Book Musings.
Best Books of the Year: The anthology THE PERFECT CRIME was noted as one of the ten best crime and mystery books of the year in the Daily Telegraph (UK), and also as one of the best books of the year by the New Zealand Listener. David’s story “Hooch” is included in the collection. The Boston Public Library lists WINTER COUNTS as one of the best reads of the year.
Chicago Review of Books, other lists: The Chicago Review of Books examines Indigenous literature and discusses WINTER COUNTS: “Through the genre of crime fiction, David Heska Wanbli Weiden situates readers face to face with the enduring effects of settler colonialism and some of the most difficult questions Indigenous communities encounter today.” Cowboys & Indians lists the novel in its “Listening to Native Voices” article. Zibby Mag includes the novel in its roundup of “Native American Stories You’ll Love.”
Japanese and Polish editions: WINTER COUNTS has been released in Japan by Hayakawa and in Poland by Tipi.
Lists: USA Today includes WINTER COUNTS as a “great read for Native American History Month.” The Seattle Times includes WINTER COUNTS as one of “9 Must-Listen Audiobooks for Native American Heritage Month.” The novel is included on lists of Indigenous literature for Native American Heritage month from Bookshop, UC Berkeley library, Goodreads, Alliance Times, and is discussed on Book Riot’s Read or Dead podcast.
WSJ+ Book Club: WINTER COUNTS has been selected as an October main selection for the WSJ+ Book Club.
New anthologies: David has new short stories released on November 1, 2022. “Turning Heart” appears in the Best American Mystery and Suspense 2022, and “Hooch” is included in The Perfect Crime. The New York Times gives a rave review to The Perfect Crime, noting “the quality of the stories is high.”
Anthony Award for Best Anthology: THIS TIME FOR SURE, edited by Hank Phillippi Ryan, won the Anthony Award for Best Anthology. David’s story “Turning Heart” is included in the collection. At the awards ceremony, David accepted the award and read Hank’s speech.
Prix des Lecteurs de la Ville de Vincennes nomination: JUSTICE INDIENNE was nominated for the Prix des Lecteurs de la Ville de Vincennes in France.
Mystery Scene magazine: David is featured in a five-page feature article in the Fall 2022 issue of Mystery Scene magazine, “Native Cultures, New Voices.”
Interviews and articles: David is interviewed in The Missoulian. Book Riot includes WINTER COUNTS as one of “8 Mysteries and Thrillers that Use Fear to Explore Racism.”
Scholarly reviews: WINTER COUNTS received an exceptional review in the academic journal Transmotion. Also, the dean of the South Dakota Law School published an extensive review of the novel in the South Dakota Law Review, praising its accuracy and artistry.
PEN America Emerging Voices Mentor: David will serve as a mentor in the 2022 PEN America Emerging Voices program.
CrimeFest Award for Debut Novel: WINTER COUNTS was awarded the CrimeFest (UK) Debut Novel Award, along with a £1000 prize.
Sewanee Writers’ Conference: David has been awarded the Father William Ralston Fellowship for Fiction at the 2022 Sewanee Writers’ Conference and will attend in July.
DENVER NOIR anthology released: David has a short story with a new character, down-on-his luck Native attorney Griff Germaine, in the collection DENVER NOIR, released May 3. Publishers Weekly praised the story: “The action starts . . . with David Heska Wanbli Weiden’s ‘Colfax and Havana.’ This emotive tale accentuates the street’s gritty reputation as racism and rashness undermine an attorney’s ambitions and chivalrous good deeds.”
Time magazine/articles: Time recommends WINTER COUNTS as “one of the best books to break out of a reading slump.” Red Planet Books includes the novel on its list of “the best literary work Native America has to offer.” Kulturnews (Germany) selects WINTER COUNTS as the best crime novel of the month.
Argus Leader story/One Book Siouxland: The South Dakota Argus Leader writes about the selection of WINTER COUNTS as the One Book Siouxland community read for 2022.
UK and France paperback editions: Simon and Schuster UK released the paperback version of WINTER COUNTS. Editions Gallmeister released the paperback edition of JUSTICE INDIENNE.
Best American Mystery and Suspense 2022 selection: David’s short story “Turning Heart” has been chosen as one of the stories to appear in the Best American Mystery and Suspense 2022 collection, edited by Jess Walter and Steph Cha.
German edition: Polar Verlag has released WINTER COUNTS in Germany, with an afterword by James Anderson and an essay by Thomas Jeier.
PBS Between the Covers television show: David is interviewed on Between the Covers; the show was seen nationally and is available on the South Florida PBS web site.
Crimefest (UK) Debut Novel Award nomination: WINTER COUNTS has been shortlisted for the 2022 Specsavers Debut Novel Award.
Spur Award Winner for “Skin”: David’s short story “Skin,” which appears in the collection MIDNIGHT HOUR, won the Spur Award for Best Short Story from the Western Writers of America.
CrimeReads interview: David is interviewed about his writing process and other issues in CrimeReads.
The Perfect Crime anthology released: David’s story “Hooch” appears in THE PERFECT CRIME collection, which has just been released in e-book in the U.S.
Best Crime Novels of All Time: Parade magazine named WINTER COUNTS as one of “The 110 Best Thriller, Crime, and Suspense Novels of All Time.”
The Writer must-read books: The Writer magazine published an article naming WINTER COUNTS as a “must-read book” for Native literature.
New essay on “Skin”: David published “The First Two Pages of ‘Skin,'” an essay about his new story and the craft of writing short stories.
Electa Quinney Award for Native American Literature: WINTER COUNTS was given the 2021 Electa Quinney Award for Native American Literature by the Association for the Study of American Indian Literatures and the Native American Literature Symposium.
Most awarded book of 2020/2021: The Rap Sheet reports that WINTER COUNTS was the “most highly decorated crime, mystery, and thriller novel” of 2020/2021, based on literary awards won.
“Skin”/Midnight Hour reviews: Great reviews for the anthology and short story appeared in Shelf Awareness and Crime Fiction Lover.
Best Books of 2021, United Kingdom: The Guardian (UK) named WINTER COUNTS one of the five best crime fiction novels of the year. The Daily Express (UK) listed the novel as one of the books of the year.
Best Books of 2021, New Zealand: The critic Craig Sisterson listed WINTER COUNTS as one of the best 100 books of the year in the New Zealand Listener.
Best Books of 2021, United Kingdom: The critic Barry Forshaw named WINTER COUNTS one of the five best crime fiction novels of the year in the Financial Times and stated the book is “Virtuoso fare.”
Winner, British crime fiction award: The British web site Crime Fiction Lover named WINTER COUNTS the 2021 winner of the Best Debut Novel, Editor’s Choice Award.
Native American Heritage Month lists: WINTER COUNTS appeared on numerous lists celebrating indigenous literature, including Reader’s Digest, Murder is Everywhere blog, Quirk Books, Murder and Mayhem, the Marysue, and SheReads.
Review in New York Times: Midnight Hour was given a rave review in the NYT. “The stories, by the likes of Tracy Clark, Raquel V. Reyes and David Heska Wanbli Weiden, reflect the breadth and depth of talent among this crime-writing cohort.”
New short story released: The collection MIDNIGHT HOUR, released November 2021, contains a new Virgil Wounded Horse story, “Skin.”
Interview with Tommy Orange: David interviews Tommy Orange in Alta journal.
Interviews and articles: Craig Sisterson interviews David in the New Zealand Listener. The Washington Post notes that the audiobook of WINTER COUNTS is “marvelous.” Joy Castro in CrimeReads mentions WINTER COUNTS as one of the novels that is changing crime literature. The Literary Lifestyle blog names the novel as one of the best books about Native Americans. The British magazine Real People lists WINTER COUNTS as a “Damned Good Crime Thriller to Read.”
Podcast, performance: David spoke on the Canada Reads American Style podcast. Stories on Stage Sacramento presented a dramatic reading of an excerpt from WINTER COUNTS performed by an actor.
Recent articles and appearances: Faber and Faber (UK) mention the novel in “What We’re Reading this Autumn.” Business Insider lists the book as a best mystery book to read in 2021. David appears on Montana Public Radio. WINTER COUNTS is discussed on the Read or Dead podcast.
Winner of the Anthony Award: WINTER COUNTS was awarded the 2021 Anthony Award for Best First Novel.
Winner of the High Plains Book Award, Indigenous Writer: WINTER COUNTS was awarded the High Plains Book Award for Indigenous Writer. “Winter Counts is a rare item in today’s publishing world, a gritty and captivating crime thriller about Indigenous people written by an Indigenous author. It’s a deeply powerful book, filled with compelling characters, a stunning story with an unmatched and authentic look at realities of contemporary Reservation life.”
Reviews for MIDNIGHT HOUR anthology: Publishers Weekly gave a starred review to the collection. Kirkus gave a very positive review and noted, “David Heska Wanbli Weiden explores the theft of a book covered in the skin of a Native American that turns out to be much more than a theft for hire.”
Paperback edition of WINTER COUNTS: Ecco released a paperback edition of WINTER COUNTS on July 6, 2021, with a Reading Group Guide and new interview with David.
Financial Times and Guardian reviews: The Financial Times gives WINTER COUNTS a rave review and states, “This is virtuoso stuff: socially committed as well as mesmerising crime fiction — with no proselytising agenda.” The Guardian also gives the novel a rave review, and states that it’s “an authentic and humane view of a largely unreported world, ravaged by years of systemic oppression.”
Winner of the Macavity Award: WINTER COUNTS was awarded the 2021 Macavity Award for Best First Novel.
New reviews: Brenna O’Hara in World Literature Today gives WINTER COUNTS a rave review. “Anyone interested in modern crime thrillers, the tricky politics of reservation law enforcement, or legally ambiguous antiheros with hearts of gold will enjoy Winter Counts, which redefines the constraints of the crime thriller genre and leaves readers with memorable characters, political insight, and a gripping, edge-of-your-seat story to boot.” The Billings Gazette and the Watertown Public Opinion gave the novel stellar reviews.
New Articles: David published an essay, “Writing Winter Counts,” in the British magazine, The Bookseller. Powwows.com published an article about the novel. Off the Shelf named the novel as a “Literary Thriller Wordsmiths Will Admire.” CrimeReads listed WINTER COUNTS as one of the best psychological thrillers. Book Riot named WINTER COUNTS as one of the best “Audiobooks for Your Next Road Trip.”
Winner of the Barry Award: WINTER COUNTS was awarded the 2021 Barry Award for Best First Novel.
Winner of the Thriller Award: The International Thriller Writers awarded WINTER COUNTS the 2021 Thriller Award for Best First Novel.
Best Paperback Lists: Buzzfeed includes WINTER COUNTS as a “new paperback you won’t want to put down.” CrimeReads lists the novel as one of the “Best New Books Out in Paperback.” BookRiot names WINTER COUNTS as a “Great New Paperback.”
Indie Next list: The paperback edition of WINTER COUNTS has been chosen for the July Indie Next list.
Writer’s Digest article: David’s article, “Writing to Change the World,” is published in the July/August issue of Writer’s Digest magazine.
Best Native American Novels: The Bibliofile lists WINTER COUNTS as one of the twenty-five best Native American novels.
Winner of the Tillie Olsen Award: The Working Class Studies Association awarded WINTER COUNTS the Tillie Olsen Award for Creative Writing. From the press release: The novel “is part crime-fiction, part anthropological exposé of American Indian life on Reservation land (Rosebud, South Dakota), part love-story and part existential-reckoning. It is a rocketing page-turner with depth, guts and soul. . . . From revenge to redemption, this novel is a wild ride with a smooth landing that quietly educates.” Another writes that Winter Counts “is pathbreaking in its portrayal of indigenous and working-class life.” Judges praise its attention to the “small details of class” and suggest that it deepens our “understanding of class, colonization, and two-world living as a nation within a nation.”
Nominated for the Macavity Award: WINTER COUNTS has been nominated for the Macavity Award for Best First Mystery.
Nominated for the Shamus Award: The Private Eye Writers of America have nominated WINTER COUNTS for Best First Novel.
Nominated for the Anthony Award: WINTER COUNTS has been nominated for the Anthony Award for Best First Novel.
United Kingdom release: Simon & Schuster UK has announced that it will release WINTER COUNTS in the United Kingdom on September 30, 2021.
Recent articles: Westword magazine interviews David about WINTER COUNTS, literary awards, and Native issues. CrimeReads talks with the 2021 Edgar nominees in Part One and Part Two. CrimeReads talks with David and the other judges for the Eleanor Taylor Bland award about the new wave of crime fiction. Craig Sisterson interviews David for his blog, Crime Watch. The Los Angeles Times reports on the Native American literature panel at the L.A. Times Festival of Books. Rain Taxi gives the novel a rave review. Goodreads lists WINTER COUNTS as the book that best represents the state of South Dakota. Fine Lifestyles Santa Fe & Albuquerque gives the book a rave review. The Estes Park Trail Gazette publishes an interview with David.
Nominated for the Edgar Award: The Mystery Writers of America have nominated WINTER COUNTS for the 2021 Edgar Award for Best First Novel.
Winner of the Lefty Award: Left Coast Crime has awarded WINTER COUNTS the 2021 Lefty Award for Best Debut Mystery Novel.
Winner of the Spur Award: The Western Writers of America have awarded WINTER COUNTS the 2021 Spur Award for Best Contemporary Novel and Best First Novel.
Nominated for the Hammett Prize: WINTER COUNTS has been nominated for the Dashiell Hammett Prize for Literary Excellence in Crime Writing.
Nominated for the Thriller Award: The International Thriller Writers have nominated WINTER COUNTS for the 2021 Thriller Award for Best First Novel.
Longlisted for the VCU Cabell First Novel Award: WINTER COUNTS has been nominated for the 2021 VCU Cabell First Novel Award.
Nominated for the Colorado Book Award: WINTER COUNTS has been nominated for the 2021 Colorado Book Award for Thrillers.
Nominated for the Barry Award: WINTER COUNTS has been nominated for the 2021 Barry Award for Best First Novel.
Shortlisted for the Reading the West Award: The Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association shortlisted WINTER COUNTS for the 2021 Reading the West Award for Best Debut Fiction.
Master Lists for Best Books of the Year: Deadly Pleasures Magazine’s Master List of Best Mysteries, Crime Novels & Thrillers of 2020 analyzed 50 Best of the Year lists, and reveals that WINTER COUNTS was ranked #2 as the most mentioned crime novel of 2020 on critics’ annual best book lists. The Rap Sheet also compiled a list of top critics and notes that WINTER COUNTS was ranked #4 for best book of the year in 2020.
Short stories: New short stories featuring Virgil Wounded Horse are forthcoming in 2021 in two anthologies: Midnight Hour and the Bouchercon 2021 volume.
French edition released: Gallmeister Editions released the French version, titled JUSTICE INDIENNE, on January 7, 2021. The novel received a rave review in Le Journal du Dimanche. Le Figaro said, “It is this mix between a dive into the life of a reserve and a story full of suspense that makes Justice Indienne an unusual and exciting thriller.”
Large print edition: The large print edition of WINTER COUNTS will be released March 24, 2021 by Wheeler/Thorndike.
NPR Best Books of 2020: NPR lists WINTER COUNTS as one of the best books of the year.
Library Journal Best Books of 2020: Library Journal names WINTER COUNTS as one of the best books of 2020.
Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2020: Publishers Weekly names WINTER COUNTS as one of the best books of the year.
Amazon Best Books of 2020: Amazon lists WINTER COUNTS as one of the 100 Best Books of 2020 and also one of the top 20 Mystery and Thrillers.
Air Mail Best Mystery Novels of 2020: Air Mail lists WINTER COUNTS as one of the best eight mystery novels of the year.
Sun Sentinel Best Mystery Books of 2020: Oline Cogdill, in the Sun Sentinel, names WINTER COUNTS as one of the Best Debut Mysteries of 2020.
BOLO Books Top Reads of 2020: Kristopher Zgorski selects WINTER COUNTS as a Top Read and Top Debut Novel of 2020 in BOLO Books.
Deadly Pleasures Best Books of 2020: George Easter names WINTER COUNTS as a Best Book of 2020 in Deadly Pleasures magazine.
CrimeReads Best Noir Fiction of the Year: CrimeReads names WINTER COUNTS as one of the ten best crime noir novels of 2020.
CrimeReads Best Debut Novels of the Year: CrimeReads lists WINTER COUNTS as one of the ten best debut novels of 2020.
CrimeReads Notable Selection: CrimeReads includes WINTER COUNTS as a Notable Selection for Best Crime Novel of the year.
Best book lists: Kellye Garrett, mystery columnist for Goodreads, lists WINTER COUNTS as one of the 10 best crime books of the year. Tribal College Journal names WINTER COUNTS as one of the best Native books of the year. SheReads lists the book as a Best BIPOC Debut Novel of 2020. Rob Hart at LitReactor named WINTER COUNTS one of the best books of 2020. The United Kingdom magazine Crime Time listed the novel as one of the best of the year in their 2020 Vision panel. The Buzz Magazine names the novel as a best book of the year. Book Riot’s Read or Dead podcast included the novel in their Favorite Books of 2020 list. CulturMag named the novel in their 2020 Highlights article. MysteryPeople named WINTER COUNTS as one of the 10 best books of the year. The novel received an Honorable Mention in the 2020 Big Other Readers’ Choice Award.
Articles, posts, and blogs: SleuthSayers reviews WINTER COUNTS and says that the novel is “something new in the genre.” Musician Jeff Ament of the band Pearl Jam mentions WINTER COUNTS as one of his two favorite books of 2020. Book Riot mentions WINTER COUNTS as one of “10 New Mystery Books You Might’ve Missed in 2020.” The Boston Globe names the novel as one of the top “Mysteries and thrillers to lose yourself in this winter.” The L.A. Times includes WINTER COUNTS as the South Dakota selection in their United We Read series.
Goodreads Choice Awards: WINTER COUNTS was nominated for Best Mystery & Thriller and also Best Debut Novel in the 2020 Goodreads Choice Awards, and advanced to the Semifinal round in both categories.
Book of the Year: Book of the Month Club includes WINTER COUNTS as one of the 20 nominations for Book of the Year.
L.A. Times Holiday Gift Pick: The L.A. Times lists WINTER COUNTS as one of 20 of “the most engaging, funniest and most urgent [books] of the year” in its list of recommendations for books that people like to receive as gifts.
A Year in Reading: David discusses which books he read in 2020 in The Millions article, “A Year in Reading: David Heska Wanbli Weiden.”
Book Riot Read Harder 2021 Challenge: Book Riot lists WINTER COUNTS as one of the books for its Read Harder 2021 Challenge.
Holiday gift recommendations: Westword magazine recommends WINTER COUNTS for gift giving: “If you’re thinking of this as a gift for someone, do yourself a favor and buy two: You’ll want to keep one for your own shelf.” The Buzz Magazine in Houston recommends WINTER COUNTS in its holiday gift guide.
Interviews and features: Conversations with Gabino Iglesias in Show Me Your Shelves and Steven Wingate in Fiction Writers Review. BuzzFeed asks David about the book he’s most thankful for. The Seminole Tribune interviews David. BuzzFeed interviews David about WINTER COUNTS, Native issues, and music. Bookbub discusses WINTER COUNTS in their article, “9 Chilly Winter Page-Turners.” CrimeReads discusses the novel in their article, “The Vigilantes of the Oppressed.” The Colorado Sentinel gives the book a rave review and notes that it is “a much-needed addition to the canon of Native American literature.”
New York Times article: The New York Times, in an article on Native Americans and Thanksgiving, notes that “Tommy Orange, a citizen of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Nations of Oklahoma, and David Heska Wanbli Weiden, an enrolled member of the Sicangu Lakota Nation, are two of the most critically acclaimed young novelists working now.”
LitHub review: LitHub reviews WINTER COUNTS and the audiobook and says that the novel is “a finely constructed thriller, but Winter Counts, like Weiden’s characters, has far more on its mind than crime and punishment.”
BuzzFeed Book Club; AWP Book Club; Mystery Prize: The BuzzFeed Book Club has chosen WINTER COUNTS as their November selection, as has the Association of Writers and Writing Programs for their Virtual Book Club. The novel was nominated for the 2021 Beltie Mystery Prize.
BOLO Books review: Kristopher Zgorski reviews WINTER COUNTS in BOLO Books: “[A]n instantly-iconic crime fiction protagonist; Winter Counts is one of the best debut novels of 2020 and launches a career that is sure to alter the course of the genre.”
Deadly Pleasures review: George Easter reviews WINTER COUNTS and gives it a rating of A-. “The characters are warm and the storyline top-notch. An added bonus (and it’s a big one) is gaining an exposure to the Lakota way of life with its traditional values and reservation hardships.”
Sun Sentinel review: Oline Cogdill gave WINTER COUNTS a rave review in the South Florida Sun Sentinel: “‘Winter Counts’ is elevated by Weiden’s forceful writing, affinity for complex, realistic characters and attention to cultural touchstones. . . . [O]ne of the year’s strongest debuts . . . ”
Rave review of audiobook in Washington Post: The Washington Post names WINTER COUNTS as one of the best audiobooks of the season. “The story, rich in Lakota lore and traditions, is leavened by wry observations and humor, not least in the person of Virgil’s friend, Tommy, a loyal but aimless fellow. His good cheer is rendered with perfect timing by narrator Darrell Dennis, who has Indigenous roots himself and is, as it happens, a comedian. He delivers the entire narration wonderfully, but his Tommy takes the gold.”
New York Times Editors’ Choice: The New York Times named WINTER COUNTS as an Editors’ Choice in the Times Book Review, calling it a “gritty, gripping thriller.” NYTBR10.4-Winter CountswImage (1)
New York Times: The New York Times says WINTER COUNTS is a “sizzling new thriller.” The review notes that the book is “written with a light touch and a good deal of humor . . . and sobering truths about Native American life.”
Interviews: Mystery & Suspense interviews David, as does Advice to Writers.
Best audiobook: Book Riot lists WINTER COUNTS as one of the best audiobooks to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Reviews: Crime Time and Mystery Scene give WINTER COUNTS strong reviews. Electric Literature recommends the book as an example of a novel with a BIPOC main character. The Literary Voyeur says the novel is “an intense and moving contemporary crime novel . . . Weiden [is] a major new voice in literary crime fiction.”
Holiday gift guide: Publishers Weekly names WINTER COUNTS as a top recommendation for holiday gifts.
New Colorado canon: 5280 magazine names SPOTTED TAIL as part of the new “New Colorado Canon” of books.
Interviews: Bloom interviews David and says that WINTER COUNTS is “an exploration of contemporary Lakota society and how federal policies and the attitudes of White America toward Native Americans continue to impoverish Native communities, rendering them vulnerable to the violence and drugs that Virgil combats. On a micro but extrapolative level, it’s about one man negotiating the ghosts of his past and the cynicism they have bequeathed, while searching for a reason to be hopeful for the sake of his nephew, for his people, and for himself.” Law360 interviews David about combining legal and political issues with a dramatic narrative. Campaign for the American Reader talks to David about movies and the “page 69 test.”
Vol. 1 Brooklyn: Vol. 1 Brooklyn gives the novel a rave review: “Winter Counts is a book that demands to be read not just because it’s engaging, but because it matters. The result is a novel that will satisfy those looking for the adrenaline of crime fiction and thrillers, . . . and those who want to enjoy all that with a deeper layer of meaning, a more nuanced narrative. . .”
Reviews: Lisa Henricksson in Air Mail says “Winter Counts is one of this year’s most significant crime-fiction debuts. . . Winter Counts takes on a plainspoken lyricism that serves as a tender counterpoint to the low-level misery he’s trying to transcend.” Jay Strafford in the Fredricksburg Free Lance-Star says, “With knife-sharp narrative skills, Weiden creates a shrewd and serpentine plot. And while he entertains, he simultaneously educates about past and present Native American life.” Crime Fiction Lover magazine says, “Winter Counts is equal parts hardboiled mystery, coming-of-age story and a fascinating picture of native American life and culture. . . . In a strong summer for thrillers, Winter Counts stands out.”
Essays: Articles by Weiden on indigenous crime fiction in CrimeReads and The Strand.
Book of the Month Club main selection: WINTER COUNTS is a main selection of the Book of the Month Club for September.
Washington Post: The Washington Post says “‘Winter Counts’ hits the sweet spot between gritty thriller and social novel” in a rave review.
Book clubs: WINTER COUNTS has been chosen by a number of book clubs: Read a Book! With Kara (Kara Brown); Reading Corner; Jordy’s Book Club; Indigenous Book Club; KGNU and Boulder Bookstore Radio Bookclub, 305 Book Club, and numerous private book clubs.
Tattered Cover, The Strand, and Poisoned Pen bookstores: The Tattered Cover bookstore chain in Colorado selects WINTER COUNTS as their September Book of the Month. The Strand Book Store in New York selected WINTER COUNTS as their choice for their Book HookUp subscription program. The Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Arizona chose the novel as their pick for their Crime Book-of-the-Month Club.
Best reviewed book: Book Marks lists WINTER COUNTS as one of the five best reviewed novels of the week.
USA Today, SF Chronicle, BookPage: USA Today says, “Winter Counts is a compelling read and an insightful perspective on identity and power in America.” The SF Chronicle notes, “Winter Counts is a riveting yet soulful reimagining of hard-boiled crime fiction for an era in which systemic rot seems to be routinely uncovered.” BookPage notes the novel’s “well-rendered, emotionally charged characters.”
Los Angeles Times: The L.A. Times says, “Winter Counts is a once-in-a-generation thriller, an unforgettable debut set in and around South Dakota’s Rosebud Indian Reservation that brims with complex characters, believable conflicts and an urgent message about Native culture, inequities and criminal justice. . . . Propulsive.”
National Book Festival: SPOTTED TAIL has been chosen as the official selection for the state of South Dakota at the 2020 National Book Festival sponsored by the Library of Congress.
Denver Post: The Denver Post (8/23/2020) says, “Denver author David Heska Wanbli Weiden writes about Virgil with sympathy and understanding. . . It’s a book only an insider could write.”
Minneapolis Star Tribune review: The Star Tribune says, “A tale of drugs and violence on the Rosebud Reservation is also a celebration of reviving Lakota traditions. . . A knowing, revealing look at life on a reservation. . . The spirit, joy, pride and resilience of Native people also comes through these pages: respect for elders, the hunger for education and meaningful work, a growing interest in Lakota language, customs and traditions.”
Entertainment Weekly: Entertainment Weekly interviews David about the writing of WINTER COUNTS, which book makes him cry, and his favorite snack.
Interviews: Interviews with David about WINTER COUNTS and other issues, from Los Angeles Review of Books, Writers Tell All, Chicago Review of Books, and The Big Thrill.
Signed copies of Winter Counts: Signed copies of the novel will be available at several bookstores. Please visit the Poisoned Pen Bookstore and also Bookbar.
Indie Next List/Great Reads September selection: The American Booksellers Association has chosen WINTER COUNTS for its September list. “Weiden’s book is a thriller with an important social and political message. Following a Lakota ‘enforcer’ who enacts extrajudicial punishment to fill the gaps in the legal system, Winter Counts is a twisty new addition to the growing Indigenous literature canon.”
Amazon Best Books of August: Amazon lists WINTER COUNTS as one of the 12 best books of August, and states in the review: “Thought-provoking and suspenseful, uplifting and heartbreaking, moving and brutal, Winter Counts is a thriller that delivers so much more than the word thriller promises.”
Podcasts: Listen to David on Writer Types podcast.
Oprah: O, The Oprah Magazine recommends WINTER COUNTS as a best book of the season. “In his assured debut novel, David Heska Wanbli Weiden melds the gritty realism of Dashiell Hammett with the lyricism of Tommy Orange.”
Apple Books–Best Books of August: Apple Books selected WINTER COUNTS as one of the 19 best books of August, and the book is now available for pre-order from the Apple Books app. Their review notes, “We were instant fans of the tough but scrupulously ethical Virgil, who is well aware that he’s neither a good guy nor a bad guy. Weiden paints a vivid portrait of contemporary Lakota life, with all the pride and struggle that come with it. This striking background color makes Winter Counts and its slam-bang conclusion hit even harder.”
Lists: Salon mentions WINTER COUNTS as a “must-read” book. Time magazine lists WINTER COUNTS as a “best new book to read in August.” Observer lists the novel as one of “5 Most Anticipated Books” in August. Popsugar says WINTER COUNTS is “An Incredible New Book.” Debutiful and Vol. 1 Brooklyn include the novel in their August recommendations. Library Journal notes it as a “Summer/Fall Best Debut Novel.” Book Riot recommends WINTER COUNTS as one of 10 “Small-Town Thrillers to Read This Summer.” Caroline Leavitt in AARP magazine recommends the book as a “remarkably accomplished debut.” Mystery Tribune notes the novel as a best thriller of the month.
Interview: 5280 magazine interviews David about Native crime fiction and growing up in Denver.
“Fresh take on the crime thriller”: Shelf Awareness (July 30) gives a rave review of WINTER COUNTS: “The setting of Winter Counts offers an important and overlooked glimpse at the particular challenges faced by Native Americans, especially concerning crime and justice. . . Tightly paced, compelling, realistic and deeply felt, Winter Counts offers a fresh take on the crime thriller.”
Hot book of the summer: The Washington Post includes WINTER COUNTS as one of “Ten books to read in August.” Shondaland mentions WINTER COUNTS as one of the 15 hottest books of the summer. Dandelion Chandelier lists the novel as a “best new summer thriller.” CrimeReads says that WINTER COUNTS is a “Novel You Should Read This August.”
Major Crimes Act essay: The New York Times publishes David’s essay on criminal justice in Indian Country.
Most anticipated: The Millions includes WINTER COUNTS in its “Most Anticipated Book Preview” and Lit Hub mentions WINTER COUNTS in their “Most Anticipated Books of 2020, Part 2” feature.
Writers to Watch: Publishers Weekly lists David as a “Writer to Watch” in Fall 2020.
Interview: Westword magazine interviews David about WINTER COUNTS, growing up in Denver, and which people–living or dead–he’d invite to a dinner party.
Lists: Book Marks includes WINTER COUNTS in the list of “Most Anticipated Books by Indigenous Authors.” They say that WINTER COUNTS is “a character-driven story about the meaning of justice in a colonialist country.” Electric Lit includes the novel in their list of “Most Anticipated Debuts for the Second Half of 2020.” Betches includes WINTER COUNTS on their “Summer Reading List.”
Buzzfeed’s list of summer thrillers: Buzzfeed includes WINTER COUNTS in the list of “new thrillers you need to add to your summer reading list.”
Starred, boxed review from Publishers Weekly, June 29 issue: “Weiden combines funny, complex, and unforgettable characters with strong, poetic prose… This is crime fiction at its best.”
USA Today: USA Today mentions WINTER COUNTS as a “new book you won’t want to miss.”
The Rumpus list of most anticipated books: The Rumpus includes WINTER COUNTS as one of the most anticipated books for the second half of 2020.
Rave review from Library Journal, June 1 issue: “Weiden’s series launch sheds much-needed light on the legal and societal barriers facing Native Americans while also delivering a suspenseful thriller that builds to a bloody climax. A worthy addition to the burgeoning canon of indigenous literature.”
Buzzfeed’s best books of the summer: Buzzfeed includes WINTER COUNTS in the list of books “You Won’t Be Able to Put Down” for summer 2020. “It’s an absolutely riveting page-turner, compelling not only for the mystery at its core, but also for its piercing criticism of US (mis)treatment of Native populations.”
Most anticipated crime books: CrimeReads includes WINTER COUNTS as a most-anticipated book of summer 2020 and notes that it’s “one of 2020’s most exciting debut novels. . .”
Great review from Read or Dead podcast: Episode 78, “The Quarantine Doldrums,” of the crime fiction book review podcast features a rave review of WINTER COUNTS, starting at minute 45:00. Brad Meltzer recommends WINTER COUNTS as one of the top thrillers of the year in Parade magazine.
Rave review of WINTER COUNTS from BOOKLIST:
A “revelatory debut crime novel propelled by vital and affecting Native American characters facing the endless repercussions of the genocidal past, ongoing racism and injustice, and cruel betrayals within their besieged community. Suspenseful, gritty, gruffly endearing, and resonant . . . ”
SPOTTED TAIL reviewed in The Roundup: “Not only is Spotted Tail well researched and informative, this powerful book is visually bold and engaging . . . Highly recommended for all ages.”
SPOTTED TAIL wins Spur Award from Western Writers of America.
AWP Mentor: David serves as Mentor for indigenous writers through Association of Writers & Writing Programs.
Interview with Cynthia Leitich Smith:
Native Voice: David Heska Wanbli Weiden on Writing Inclusive Books For Kids
SPOTTED TAIL named as a finalist in Juvenile Literature for the Colorado Book Awards.
Publishers Weekly lists WINTER COUNTS as one of the top debut mystery and thrillers of the year.
Book Riot names WINTER COUNTS as one of the must-read thrillers of the year.
Podcast: Interview with David at the 2020 Public Library Association conference in Nashville.
New essay, “How Much Indian are You,” shortlisted for Briarpatch Magazine Writing in the Margins contest.
Crime Reads lists WINTER COUNTS as a new series to watch for.
New nonfiction essay, “Carlisle Longings,” published in Shenandoah magazine: read it here.
Interview with David on Colorado Public Radio about WINTER COUNTS:
“David Heska Wanbli Weiden of Denver delves into barriers to justice for Native Americans in his upcoming novel Winter Counts.” Listen here.
Library Journal lists WINTER COUNTS as one of the most anticipated books of 2020.
Tin House Scholars: Tin House Summer Workshop names David as a 2019 Scholar.
French publication: WINTER COUNTS and WOUNDED HORSE to be published in France by Gallmeister Editions.
PEN America Writing for Justice Fellowship: David named as one of the inaugural Fellows.
PEN Ten interview: PEN America interviews Writing for Justice Fellows.
MacDowell Colony Fellow: David awarded 2018 summer fellowship at the MacDowell Colony.